Behavior Policies

Community Standards of Conduct Policy

This policy establishes the minimum standards of behavior for all members of the Lesley University community.

It applies to all members of the Lesley University community, including faculty, adjunct faculty, staff, students, alumni, vendors, contractors, consultants, guests, and visitors.

This policy applies to any activity related to Lesley University, either on or off campus, and to any off-campus conduct that may have an effect on the Lesley University community.

Lesley University respects the dignity of every individual and expects members of the Lesley University community to:

Conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner.

Conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the University’s mission as an educational institution.

Refrain from behavior that substantially disrupts the educational and working environment at the university.

Refrain from illegal activity, and understand that the University may take action regardless of the outcome of any criminal investigation or prosecution.

Understand that conduct, occurring on or off campus, that adversely affects or has the potential to adversely affect, the university or members of the university community, may violate this Community Standards of Conduct Policy.

Refrain from injuring, threatening to injure, or attempting to injure another person, whether in person, through electronic or digital communications, or otherwise. This includes physical action, non-physical action, intimidation, and threats.

Refrain from damaging or threatening to damage property.

Avoid any activity that poses a significant risk to the health or safety of any member of the university's community or a member of the public.

Comply with all university policies and procedures. Examples of University policies include:

Reporting

The members of the Lesley University community have an obligation to report violations of these Community Standards of Conduct to one of the people listed below. Any reported violation will be promptly investigated.

Report incidents of discrimination and harassment to any one of the following people or offices:

Reports of discrimination and harassment may also be made to the police by calling 911.

Lesley University encourages anyone who has been subjected to discrimination or harassment to report it immediately; delayed reporting may diminish the University's ability to investigate and respond effectively to the report.

Lesley takes steps to provide a prompt and effective response to all reports of sexual violence about which it becomes aware, whether or not a complaint is filed. If one of the persons or offices listed here receives a report of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, that person or office must promptly notify the Dean of Student Life/Interim Title IX Coordinator.

The university’s investigations and sanctions may proceed even if the persons involved are on leave from or not currently engaged with the University.

Depending on the circumstances, the university may take immediate, interim action pending the conclusion of an investigation.

The university may immediately remove anyone from the campus or any University-sponsored event if the person’s behavior:

Is disrupting the classroom or educational environment, work environment, or any University-sponsored event.

Is threatening to the health or safety of any person, or may damage property.

The university, at its discretion, may also remove someone from campus or prohibit someone from attending a University-sponsored event during the course of an investigation.

In the event of alleged unlawful behavior, or as deemed necessary in any emergency situation, the university may notify the Lesley University Office of Public Safety and the appropriate law enforcement agency.

The person investigating a reported violation may find that a single significant incident, a pattern of less significant behavior, or a combination of the two, violate the Community Standards of Conduct Policy. The investigator applies a preponderance of the evidence standard and applies a reasonable person standard to determine whether a violation of the Community Standards of Conduct has occurred. The decision of the investigator is final.